Golfin’ in the rain: Stay safe while enjoying the game

Around the country this summer we are seeing tornadoes, wicked flooding, hail storms and record rainfall. Here in Las Cruces we are definitely in our rainy season, although we are still under our annual average rainfall. I thought a few pieces of information and advice would be useful for all local golfers. 

By far the first issue is safety when there is lightning around. Even when the sun is brightly shining on a seemingly clear day, a rogue thunder cloud may be lurking unnoticed. Each year in the U.S., several people get killed by lightning  strikes. When there is lightning even within a few miles of where you’re playing, seek shelter immediately but not under a tree. And certainly, don’t hold a one iron up to the sky! Many golf courses have lightning detectors attached to their weather stations, which can identify the presence of dangerous lightning instantly. Most courses have a loud warning horn or siren that can be heard at the farthest end of the property. Playing in light rain is OK but pouring rain is not. 

As for playing golf in weather that is rainy and wet but not dangerous, staying dry is critical. Keep a sturdy umbrella attached to your bag. Since a lot of motorized golf carts don’t have protection in the back for the clubs pack the top hood to the golf bag so you can put it over the clubs to keep them dry. Definitely put a rainsuit (jacket and pants) in your golf bag. Waterproof shoes are a must as the monsoons set in. I carry a light wool sweater, knowing it gets colder when it rains.  Also, bring towels. For one thing they help you keep your grips dry. And keep several extra golf gloves in your bag. 

The truth is playing in lousy weather has its benefits. One of my golfing friends told me, “It’s a great time to play. The golf course isn’t crowded, and you move around pretty quickly.” But it’s easy to get upset. The ball won’t roll much in soaked fairways, and the rough is really rough. In warm, wet conditions you can practically see the long grass growing by the second, and it snags the club face as you try to hit through it. Hybrid-type clubs are quite useful in heavy grass. If you hit your ball out of position, getting it back in play is usually the best idea, rather than trying for a miracle shot. Remember, it’s easy to get upset when you play in dicey conditions, especially since your routine is disrupted, and there are lots of things to fumble with. If you watch tour caddies work in foul weather, they’re the most organized people on the planet. Being organized and being patient are both important.

Lastly, some quirky things happen with certain shots when you’re playing on the edge of wetness. Grass-borne water gets in the grooves of your irons and the ball often squirts out like a pitcher’s knuckle ball without much spin. Chips and pitch shots can get away from you with “flyers,” because the wet grooves are sodden. The greens are mostly slower with a layer of water or dew.  Putts must be struck more firmly, and they will usually have less of their usual break. Understand, you will have the advantage over your fellow competitors if you are more prepared and confident in bad conditions.

Charlie Blanchard is a guest columnist, a retired golf writer and teacher. He can be reached at docblanchard71@gmail.com.